As a concept, a diesel-powered Maserati is right up there with a steam-powered fighter jet.

It's neither what you'd expect, nor, logically, what should work especially well.

That might be the case if we're discussing Maserati sports cars and cabriolets, but when it comes to the Quattroporte – Maserati's big, luxury limousine – then the idea of a diesel powerplant is a bit easier to digest.

While the jury is still out on the benefits of a diesel engine for an urban-based hatchback, but for full-size limousines like the 1900kg Quattroporte, then there's far less debate.

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Essentially, the adoption of a turbo-diesel powerplant can slash fuel use (and costs) as well as massively extending the vehicle's range which, in the case of something like the Quattroporte, is one of the car's European selling points as trans-continental transport.

The engine in question is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with a single turbocharger.

You'll also see it in some Jeep models, but in Maserati guise it makes 202kW of power and 600Nm of torque from just 2000rpm onwards.

An eight-speed automatic transmission sends drive to the rear wheels.

Smooth and quiet by diesel standards, the engine has a bi-modal exhaust function which liberates a bit more of the music we associate with the Maserati marque, but really, the diesel Quattroporte is a different animal to the petrol versions.

Not necessarily lesser; just different.

There's a load of torque from idle onwards and the silky eight-speed auto makes the absolute most of it. In fact, Maserati claims a 0-100km/h time of about 6.5 seconds, so it's no tortoise.

But it does leave the hares gasping when it comes to fuel consumption with an official combined figure of just 6.2 litres per 100km.

That gives it a theoretical range of more than 1100km from its 70-litre tank, but even with our real-world figure of around nine-litres per 100km (including some spirited uphill work) that range is still almost 800km-worth.

On a gentle cruise on a freeway, we'd be confident of beating seven litres per 100km.

Our criticisms amount to a lack of ride quality on the optional 20-inch wheels and tyres our test car was fitted with and the standard 19s might be better in this regard.

Even so, the Quattroporte lacks the waft factor of something like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with which it competes.

The gear selector also seemed needlessly sensitive and fussy about how it was handled.

Get it wrong the first time and you could spend the next few seconds trying to work out what gear you'd selected and wondering how you'll get to the one you actually want.

Beyond that, however, there's not a lot wrong with this picture.

The interior is spacious (the rear seat is vast) and is nicely put together.

And it looks great from the outside; impressive and classy with a dash of sportiness the established players can't really match.

The other bonus is the price.

While the thirstier V8 and V6 petrol-engined Quattroportes carry stickers of about $340,000 and $240,000 (plus on-road costs) respectively, the turbo-diesel version undercuts them massively with its $198,800 plus on-roads.

19 comments so far

In 2012, the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer elevated diesel exhaust into its Group 1 category, "Carcenogenic to humans". Other compounds in this category include asbestos, plutonium and arsenic.

The only thing diesel power has in common with steam power is that they are both archaic technologies and have no place in modern motoring.

Commenter

BM-21 Grad

Location

Date and time

August 25, 2014, 12:22PM

diesel engines do have a future just not with the hydrocarbon fuel they currently use we are waiting for b100 bio diesel and yes people are working on it.

Commenter

eightysix

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Date and time

August 25, 2014, 9:24PM

@86

100% B100 biodiesel has been available in Australia for 10-15 years. Locally it is made by Australian Renewable Fuels from waste abattoir fats. It is also directly imported from the USA were it is made from soy beans.

In Australia biodiesel is most commonly used as a B20 blend (20% biodiesel, 80% mineral diesel). B20 has been used in the entire Adelaide diesel bus fleet for 5-6 years without problems.

B100 was once sold at the pump across SA by SAFF fuels until the company went belly up a few years ago. B20 can be bought at the pump in Perth and a couple of locations in Melbourne. You can still buy B100 (& B20) wholesale, but you would need a big storage tank and you would need to use up fairly quickly before it suffers biological degradation.

Would I use B100 in US market John Deere or New Holland tractor? - For sure!! Would I use B100 or B20 in a Maserati Quattroporte? - Not a snow flakes chance in hell!

Commenter

VivR

Location

Adelaide

Date and time

August 26, 2014, 9:12AM

So tell me BM-21 Grad please explain the carcinogenicity of the benzene ring?

Commenter

Glove Puppet

Location

Left field

Date and time

August 26, 2014, 4:16PM

You also forget the carcinogenicity of the fuel to heat the steam, usually coal?Not to mention the radioactivity of coal and burnt coal.

Commenter

Glove Puppet

Location

Left Field

Date and time

August 26, 2014, 4:39PM

"Price: $198,800 plus on-road costs"

"The engine in question is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with a single turbocharger. You'll also see it in some Jeep models"

I guess this car will be bought by people who have $200k and can't find a Porsche dealership or really love diesel and hate RS6s, E63s and M5s. The last Quattroporte was a stunningly beautiful, perfectly proportioned car. I still love seeing them driving around, as opposed to this poorly executed follow up with an engine out of a Jeep.

Commenter

was public now private

Location

Date and time

August 25, 2014, 3:43PM

God no. Just no.

Commenter

r32gojirra

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Date and time

August 25, 2014, 5:30PM

$140K is a lot of money to pay just for a V8.

Oh hang on, it's a Ferrari V8.

It's worth it.

Commenter

Keef

Location

Date and time

August 25, 2014, 8:30PM

It's not a Ferrari V8.

"The engine in question is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with a single turbocharger."

Maserati V8s are assembled by Ferrari only, they don't use Ferrari designed engines.

Commenter

swells65

Location

Date and time

August 26, 2014, 10:39AM

swells65,Wrong. Ferrari, Alfa Romeo (8c) and Maserati use the same engine. The only difference between the Ferrari and Maserati version is the crank, with the Ferrari being flat plane and the Maserati/Alfa version being the traditional v8 crank type.Maserati and Alfa Romeo do not design engines anymore. End of story.Pete